Qatar Airways and Airlink have signed a comprehensive new codeshare agreement to offer travellers greater connectivity between 45 destinations in 13 countries across southern Africa and the rest of the world.
Now, connecting flights can be purchased on both airlines using a single reservation with seamless ticketing, check-in, boarding and baggage-check for the entire journey.
Agents can now make bookings for their customers from any southern African city where Airlink has services, to popular US destinations like New York and Dallas, European destinations such as London, Copenhagen and Barcelona, and points across Asia like Manila, Jakarta and Cebu.
QR’s footprint is also increased in southern Africa by virtue of the codeshare, with improved access to destinations such as Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), which serves the Addo Elephant National Park and the Garden Route; Hoedspruit and Skukuza, which serve the Kruger National Park and its concessions and satellite conservation parks; George, which serves the Garden Route and is home to the spectacularly beautiful and world-renowned golf course at Fancourt; and beyond South Africa to Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Mozambique.
Qatar Airways’ Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Akbar al Baker said: “Expanding our network with Airlink gives our customers more choice of destinations and flights that we hope will contribute to the rapid recovery of travel, which plays such an important role in southern African economies.
“We have boosted our presence in the African market by adding eight new destinations since the start of the pandemic and fostering partnerships such as this dynamic agreement with Airlink, which will greatly enhance our offering to our customers and support travel and trade.”
Airlink MD and CEO, Rodger Foster said: “This development is an endorsement of Airlink’s relevance to providing air access to the entire region through our expansive network of destinations, which, when considered in conjunction with Qatar Airways’ global reach, creates unparalleled connectivity opportunities. As southern Africa’s leading airline, Airlink provides comprehensive, safe, and reliable air transportation services, enabling socio-economic development by connecting people with each other and facilitating trade within the region and beyond.”
Qatar Airways offers direct flights from Doha to Johannesburg 21 times weekly, to Cape Town 10 times weekly and to Durban four times weekly.
